University Schools

And that’s a wrap on an incredible year!! 💙✨

From the first day to the last, we have grown and achieved together, and we have enjoyed some unforgettable moments across University Schools. Our students have learned, led, created, competed, and celebrated. We couldn’t be more proud of them!

To our teachers and staff: thank you for your passion, dedication, and the countless ways you show up for our students every single day.

To our families: thank you for your partnership and support. It takes a village!

To our students: you are the heart of it all, and you made this year truly special.

Wishing everyone a safe, peaceful, and well-deserved summer break! ☀️

See y'all closer to Fall. 💙😄

Celebrating a legacy of excellence 💙✨

We are proud to honor Ernie Shadow as this year’s recipient of the Linda Harless Faculty Excellence Award, a recognition rooted in service, compassion, and an unwavering belief in the potential of every child.

Dr. Sally Parish presented Mr. Shadow with his award this morning, in front of the Campus School community that he has proudly supported for 25 years. This honor reflects the legacy of Linda Harless, who dedicated her life to students and to the power of education. Mr. Shadow embodies that same spirit every single day.

Mr. Shadow has served Campus School with integrity, heart, and a deep commitment to his students, teaching across grade levels, building meaningful relationships, and always going above and beyond. Known for his calm presence, strong character, and even his legendary “dad jokes,” he represents the very best of our profession.He sees every child, believes in every child, and works tirelessly to help each one succeed.

Congratulations, Mr. Shadow! We are so grateful for your impact and proud to celebrate you! 🎉

UHS at State!! 💙🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️

Following on from the amazing UMS results, our UHS Track & Field team represented in a major way at the Tennessee State Championships, competing with heart, determination, and Tiger pride.

Once again, our small teams produced very big outcomes, and a few more state titles!!

🥇 Girls 4x800m: State Champions
🥇 Girls 1600m: State Champion - Liana Nuckolls
🥇 Girls 800m: State Champion - Liana Nuckolls
🥈 Boys 4x800m: State Runners Up
🥉 Girls 4x400m: Third Place
🥉 Boys 800m: Third Place - Brayden Spann
🔥 Boys 400m - Fourth Place - Paxton LaRue
🔥 Boys 110m Hurdles: Fifth Place - Lexington Griffin
🔥 Girls 4x200m: 5th Place
🔥 Boys 1600m: 5th place - Lawson Scott
🔥 Girls 4x100m: 5th Place
🔥 Girls 400m: 7th Place - Ruthie Watson
🔥 Boys 4x400m: 7th Place
🔥 Boys Shot Put: 8th Place - Steve Cook

🙌 Our girls team finished 4th overall!!

We are so proud of this team and the way they continue to build a culture of excellence at UHS. The future is blue, white, and gray! ✨💙🐅

What a night at the State Track Championships! 💙🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️

Our Tigers showed up in a BIG way, competing with heart, grit, and determination against the best in Tennessee.

We only had 2 prior state titles, and we added 3 more in one night!

🥇 State Champs: Girls 4x800m - Margaret Chiles, Morgan Hunter, Mara Pence, Fatima Watkins
🥇 State Champs: Boys 4x800m - August Akers, Thomas Fox, Declan Murphy, Max Peacock
🥇 State Champs: Boys 1600m - Declan Murphy
🥈 State Runners Up: Boys 4x400m - August Akers, Thomas Fox, Max Peacock, Jazon Williamson
🥉 State 3rd Place: Girls 1600m - Margaret Chiles
🥉 State 3rd Place: Boys 800m - Thomas Fox
🥉 State 3rd Place: Boys 1600m - August Akers
🔥 Boys Team: 3rd Overall
🔥 Girls Team: 8th Overall
🔥 Girls 800m: 4th Place - Morgan Hunter
🔥 Girls 1600: 8th place - Mara Pence
🔥 Girls 4x400m: 6th Place - Margaret Chiles, Morgan Hunter, Dakota Taylor, Fatima Watkins

And here’s what makes it even more impressive… both teams did it with just 5 runners each!!💙

This is the definition of stepping up, pushing limits, and representing UMS with pride. Every point earned and every race run added up to an incredible finish on the biggest stage.

So proud of this team and the way they continue to raise the bar. 💫

History made. Twice. 🏆🏆

Our UMS girls AND boys 4x800 teams are STATE CHAMPIONS!!! 🥇🥇

For the first time in school history, both teams took 1st place at the Tennessee Track & Field Championships! 🐯🔥

This is what dedication, teamwork, and heart look like. From early mornings to the final stretch, these amazing student athletes kept working, kept believing, and delivered when it mattered most!

So much Tiger pride for this team, and this historic achievement! 💙

What a night! 🎓💙

Our first-ever graduating class walked across the stage at the Scheidt Center for the Performing Arts, surrounded by a packed house of families, friends, faculty, and University Schools leaders who came together to celebrate this unforgettable milestone.

We were honored to have University of Memphis President Dr. Bill Hardgrave in attendance, along with many other distinguished guests, and to hear inspiring words from Tennessee State Senator London Lamar — a proud Campus School alum — who praised our graduates of their perseverance and purpose.

Congratulations to our Valedictorian, Kylie McCormack, and Salutatorian, Fatiha Dangkua, who offered inspiring and thankful words to their peers and teachers, and celebrated the legacy of the Class of 2026.

And what a class to celebrate:
✨ 100% continuing their education or training
✨ Students headed to 34 colleges, universities, military, and professional programs
✨ $14.5 million in scholarships earned

As the first UHS graduates to walk this stage, they have set the tone for what it means to be a University High School student: driven, accomplished, and ready to lead.

We are so proud. The future starts now. 💫

Full circle moment 💙🎓

For the first time ever, our UHS seniors took part in a Graduation Walk, crossing the University of Memphis campus and returning to Campus School, where so many of their journeys began. They were joined by University Schools Director Dr. Sally Parish, UofM President Dr. Bill Hardgrave, and UofM Provost Dr. David Russomanno, while our community of students, parents, professors and administrators cheered them on.

From elementary hallways to graduation stage, this walk was more than a tradition in the making: it was a powerful reminder of how far they’ve come and the community that has supported them every step of the way.

To see our seniors celebrated by younger students, teachers, and the place that helped shape them… unforgettable. 💫

We also took this moment to recognize UofM campus partner, and mom of a graduating senior, Melissa Moore Brigance, who has done so much to support this class and their graduation ceremony.

Once a Campus School Tiger, always a Tiger. We are so proud of you, Class of 2026, and we can't wait to see you walk across the stage tomorrow night!

🍩 Doughnuts for a cause!! 🍩

Support UHS Boys Basketball AND treat yourself — it’s a win-win 💙🏀

Now through July 11, 2026, when you purchase Krispy Kreme doughnuts through our fundraising page, 50% of your order goes directly back to UHS Boys Basketball!

Here’s how it works:
✨ Order online
✨ Get your code emailed
✨ Redeem at your local Krispy Kreme

Grab a dozen (or two 😉), share with friends and family, and support our Tigers while you’re at it!